The online ramblings of Housebuilder's Bible author Mark Brinkley. The paper version is updated every two years and is widely available via UK bookstores and Amazon

9 Jun 2010

PPG3 is now for the Birds

Barely 250m from where I live is a brand new development called Nichols Court, an extra care living facility to be run by the Sanctuary Group. It's not going to win any architectural awards. With its mixture of buff facing bricks, regulation cedar cladding and odd bits of pink rendering, it looks like countless other (very boring) contemporary designs. And I wouldn't mention it at all in my dispatches except for this feature which caught my eye — the triple bird box.

Now I know that the Code gives points for enhancing site ecology, and nesting boxes are going to tick that particular box. But triple ones? Since when did PPG3 density requirements get applied to blue tits?

PS I understand that house sparrows like to nest communally, but other common garden species don't. But I reckon these holes are too small for a sparrow. The only tit you are likely to see here is the architect responsible.